After four years of positive growth, giving fell by 1.7 percent in 2018, according to the latest “Giving USA” report, which examines contributions to charities from individuals, foundations, and corporations. It is only the 13th drop in overall giving in the past 40 years.
Experts say the decrease is likely due to volatility in the stock market and changes in the tax code. With the long-term impact of the 2017 tax law still unknown, and economic uncertainty lingering, the outlook is cloudy at best.
The study’s findings about other forms of giving are mixed. Corporate contributions to charity rose 2.9 percent in 2018, and giving from foundations grew 4.7 percent. However, contributions to foundations declined more than 9 percent — possibly because donors are migrating to donor-advised funds.
To help you meet your fundraising goals even if the outlook dims further, we’ve collected articles and advice to help you handle the forces shaping charitable giving today.
The anticipated uptick in planned giving from aging baby boomers is one of the brighter and perhaps more reliable prospects for nonprofits, so don’t miss the tool kit Getting Started With Planned Gifts. It shares ways to jump-start a planned-giving program and features the story of how one radio station is attracting bequests from young donors.
An earlier version of this article used a non-inflation-adjusted figure to describe how corporate contributions changed in 2018.
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FindingsGifts to Charity Dropped 1.7 Percent Last Year, Says ‘Giving USA’
The decline, fueled by a drop in giving by individuals, could be a warning sign that the new tax law and other challenges will stall giving in future years. -
Advice
New Data on Fundraising Points the Way to What Charities Should Do Next
Focus on the mission, small donors, and corporate employees, say fundraising experts. And don’t ignore the people who give through donor-advised funds even though they are hard to find. -
Advice
Hard Times, Hard Decisions: 7 Things Small and Midsize Charities Should Do When a Recession Looms
With economists warning of an economic downturn, nonprofits and experts talk about what charities should do now to weather the storm. -
Tool Kit
Understanding and Tapping Into Donor-Advised Funds
These philanthropic accounts have become the preferred giving vehicle for many donors. Use this collection of articles and other resources to learn how charities can connect with fund holders. -
Tool Kit
How to Attract Corporate Philanthropy
A guide to the sometimes confusing world of business philanthropy, including social-responsibility departments, corporate foundations, marketing divisions, and more. -
News
Corporate Giving Rises, Especially for Disaster Relief, Study Shows
Median giving increased 14 percent over the last three years. Giving among the 252 companies that participated in the survey of giving in 2017 totaled $23.8 billion. -
Tool Kit
Want Your Donors to Give Year After Year? Start Here.
These key concepts can help your nonprofit increase its retention rate. -
Tool Kit
Getting Started With Planned Gifts
Key concepts, ideas, and resources to help your organization set up a planned-giving program. -
Tool Kit
Tips and Advice for Better Grant Seeking
Key concepts and advice to help organizations win grants from foundations.
